The watches worn by presidents, senators and world leaders, checked against official photography, archives and auction records. Each article separates what is documented from what is merely repeated online.
Putin’s most-photographed watch is a Blancpain Léman Aqua Lung Grande Date, but his collection also includes A. Lange & Söhne grands complications worth far more. Full breakdown inside.
Joe Biden’s daily watch is a Rolex Datejust 36 in Oystersteel — a gift from Jill Biden, not a keepsake from Beau as widely reported.
A neutral side-by-side of the watches Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are documented or reported to wear, from a roughly $200 Citizen to a gold Rolex.
Bill Clinton’s Timex Ironman and the other watches linked to him.
George W. Bush is known for an everyday Timex, and the Bush Presidential Center sells a tribute version.
Barack Obama wore a custom Jorg Gray 6500 chronograph in office and has since been seen in a white gold Rolex Cellini.
Donald Trump is most often seen in a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date 36, reported to be ref. 118238.
Ronald Reagan was most often photographed wearing a steel Rolex Datejust 36 on a Jubilee bracelet.
John F. Kennedy’s signature watch was a gold Omega Ultra Thin ref. OT3980, now in Omega’s museum.
Bernie Sanders is reported to wear an affordable, solar-powered Citizen Eco-Drive, though the exact model is unconfirmed.